Fruit and vegetables will be left to rot after the Government axed a seasonal
migrant crop pickers’ scheme, an MP warned yesterday.

Farmers’ leaders are furious at the decision, which they said would lead to
higher prices for strawberries, raspberries and salad vegetables. They also
said the move would undermine the horticultural industry, with many firms
questioning whether it was worthwhile continuing to operate. The warnings
came after Mark Harper, the Immigration Minister, announced that the
Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (Saws), which has been running for 60
years, would end this year.